Publisher's Summary

From the station-houses to the joy-houses, they knew about Mike Carmody. He was the best cop money could buy. And when the Syndicate boys said jump, Carmody knew just how high. But they couldn't buy Carmody's kid brother Eddie. And when Eddie turned against them, the Mob snuffed him out like a nickel cigar.

Now Carmody's coming after them. Savage. Bloodthirsty. He's stalking them down the city's darkened back alleys...and straight into hell.

Performance

Story

Hard-boiled Fun

This is by the author of _The Big Heat_ (also recommended), which will give you an idea what to expect.

This hard-boiled detective story is a fun example of the type. The 15-second sax intro sets the mood. It has all the ingredients: post-prohibition crime bosses, an Irish immigrant cop back from WWII, and hard-edged fight scenes. A handful of minor but clearly-delineated characters help the action move along.

This book, unlike the Big Heat, has an element of philosophical soul-searching as the crooked cop searches for an alternate path. It's sort of a Frank Capra Noir, if you can imagine that, but our protagonist is no Jack Friday. The noir elements predominate, and this was a fun ride down a dark Philadelphia street circa 1950.